CenterFrame Members Hit the Big Screen at SohoLIFF

On January 16, Soho London International Film Festival returns for its 2026 edition, right in the heart of London’s West End. Built by a growing team of film and media professionals, SohoLIFF has become a welcoming space where creative voices come together to share work, meet collaborators, and celebrate independent cinema. The festival is volunteer run, always open to newcomers who want to get involved and learn as they go. This year’s programme is packed with shorts, and we’re especially excited to spotlight the films made by members of the CenterFrame community.

Opening day highlight

An Imperfect Cadence, by Nathan Haines

On the festival’s opening day, you can catch An Imperfect Cadence in Block One, from CenterFrame member and co-founder Nathan Haines. Set inside the ultra competitive world of elite orchestras, the film follows gifted young harpist Yvonne Mears. When she receives an invitation to compete for a seat with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, she must prepare for an audition that could change everything.

Starring Louisa Connolly Burnham and Jennifer Preston, the film has already screened at the BIFA qualifying Brighton Rocks and Unrestricted View Film Festival, earning nominations for Best Actress and Best Sound. It also won Best Cinematography at the UK Film Awards and was nominated for Best UK Short Film at the London Breeze Film Festival.

Saturday screenings

On Saturday, January 17, you can catch five more shorts by CenterFrame members across two festival blocks.

In Block Five, you can watch three very different shorts, each with its own distinct tone and world.

Fractured Frame, by Natalie Lauren A woman’s psyche begins to splinter under the relentless pressure of the predatory industry she fought to enter.

Love & Bullets, by Jadey Duffield A warrior code is tested when a mission goes wrong and a second agent is sent to clean up the mess, only to discover the target is his own wife.

The Pearl Comb | Directed by Ali Cook

Love & Bullets directed by Jadey Duffield

The Pearl Comb, by Ali Cook An Oscars shortlisted, fantastical period drama about a warm hearted Cornish fisherman’s wife who draws the attention of the medical world as the first person ever to cure tuberculosis.

Still on Saturday, but in Block Six, you can catch two more films by CenterFrame members, both taking very different approaches to comedy and relationships.

Solers United, by Sara Harruk A romantic comedy following a grassroots women’s football team facing eviction, and the bonds and tensions between its players.

Grandma is Thirsty, by Kristian Carr A CenterFrame funded comedy horror in which a timid boy is lured into the home of eerie twins, where their six hundred year old grandma has a very particular plan for his youth.

Catch them on the big screen

CenterFrame will also be hosting a live Script Club discussion on Last Night in Soho at the festival at 10am on Saturday, January 17. Anyone with a ticket for any of that day’s screening blocks is welcome to attend. Tickets can be bought here: https://soholiff.co.uk/tickets-are-live/

If you’re in London over the next few days, try to carve out some time for SohoLIFF. It is a great chance to celebrate independent cinema, discover new filmmakers, and experience short films the way they are meant to be seen, on a proper screen, with an audience. If you can, come along, bring a friend, and support these CenterFrame community titles, alongside the many other shorts screening across the festival. Every ticket, every share, and every bit of word of mouth makes a difference.

DIOGO BRÜGGEMANN

Film & TV Critic | CenterFrame Team

Check his profile on CenterFrame